Grants in North America

Pathways to Engagement

Beginning in 2011, Genesis Philanthropy Group supported Pathways to Engagement, programming for Russian-speaking Jewish young adults and families with young children operated by Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) in Boston.

The goal of these programs was to offer young Russian Jews a broad spectrum of opportunities to foster their Jewish identity and engage in Boston’s vibrant Jewish community. The initiative consisted of:

Young Adult Community Grants: In 2011-2012, this project identified, encouraged, and supported community activism by providing small grants to seed innovative programming. Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to young leaders with original ideas that focused on Jewish education, arts, values, and culture.

Jewish Family Network: Continuing in 2013-2014, a young Jewish leader, known as a 'Hub Connector,' is establishing playgroups, meet-ups and programs for parents and their young children. The Hub Connector also follows up with participating families to keep them engaged in other CJP programming.

Additionally, CJP extended the Shalom Baby program to focus on the Russian-speaking Jewish community. The program offers support to new mothers by providing them with a friendly, trained visitor bearing welcome gifts. Families are also informed about and invited to engage in local Jewish community programs designed especially for them.

Financial support for this program was provided by Genesis Philanthropy Group, along with CJP and Jewish Family Services of Metrowest.

Goals and Objectives

Encourage a deeper understanding of Jewish customs, traditions, and history in Boston’s Russian-speaking Jewish community.

Forge strong connections between members of the Russian-speaking Jewish community.

Foster relationships between Russian-speaking Jewish families and young adults that create supportive micro-communities.